A Rivers State High Court, in Port Harcourt, has declared the tenure extension for local council chairmen in the state null and void.
The court’s decision followed a ruling that the Local Government Law No.2 of 2024, which granted a six-month tenure extension to council chairmen after their initial tenure expired, is invalid.
The court’s verdict noted that the law is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No 5 of 2018.
The court gave the ruling that the recent extension of the council chairmen’s tenures was invalid, in suit number PHC/1320/CS/2024, a case instituted by Enyiada Cookey-Gam & six Ors vs the Governor of Rivers State & Ors.
The court affirmed that the lawful tenure for the chairmen and councillors remained three years, as stipulated by the 2018 law, stressing that any attempt to extend the tenure was not only unlawful but violates the officials’ oath of office.
It held that there is a fixed three-year term for local government chairmen and councillors.
Recall that the 27 pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers had repealed the Local Government Amended Bill, extending the tenure of council chairmen to six months, pending when elections would be held.
By avoiding the tenure extension, analysts say that the court has effectively upheld the original three-year term for council chairmen and councillors, as enshrined in the Rivers State Law No 5 of 2018.
IN another development, the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo has screened and confirmed eight commissioner designates as members of the State Executive Council.
This is sequel to a letter from Governor Siminalayi Fubara read by the Speaker, yesterday, on the floor of the House, requesting that the nominees be screened and confirmed.
The nominees were Charles Bekee, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Basoene Josua Benibo and Dr Peter Medee.
Others are Elloka Tasie Amadi, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Dr Ovy Orluideye Chukwuma.
The nominees, while fielding questions from lawmakers, said that they would bring their wealth of experience into Fubara’s administration.
